SCRA General Ability Test
UPSC SCRA General ability 2011 solved question papers
1. Who among the following was the author of famous Allahabad Pillar Inscription relating to Samudragupta?
(a) Harishena (Ans)
(b) Achyutta
(c) Simhavaman
(d) Nagasena
2. Milindapanha
(a) contains the numerous illustrations from jain legends
(b) deals with the code of conduct for jain monks and nuns
(c) contains the fundamentals of Buddha's teachings
(d) records the dialogue between the Indo-Greek ruler, Menander and the monk, Nagasena (Ans)
3. Which of the following is/are the source(s) for the study of Sunga history ?
(a) Gargi Samhita and Mahabhasya of Patanjali
(b) Kalidasa's Malavikagnimitra and Bana's Harshacharita
(c) None of the above (Ans)
(d) Both (a) and (b)
4. The winter rains over North-West India are caused by
(a) the North-East monsoon
(b) the /western disturbances - (Ans)
(c) the formation of local thunderclouds
(d) None of the above
5. Consider the following statements regarding social change : I. Diffusion is an important mechanism of social change. II. While cultural diffusion quickly changes the non-material aspects of people in society, the material aspects are slow to change. which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II (Ans)
(d) Neither I nor II
6. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists.
List I List II
(Soil) (Characteristic)
A Tarai 1. Consists mainly of gravels and is porous
B Khadar 2. Consists of ill-drained marshy lands
C Bhalar 3. Consists of older alluvial terraces
D Bhangar 4. Consists of newer alluvium forming the floodplains
Codes :
A B C D
(a) 2 1 4 3
(b) 2 4 1 3 (Ans)
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 3 1 4 2
7. The Palghat Gap allows inland communication from
(a) Madurai to Thiruvananthapuram
(b) Chennai to Kochi
(c) Pune to Mumbai
(d) Bengaluru to Mangalore
8. The details regarding the electoral system of India were
(a) laid down in the Constitution of India
(b) provided by the Parliament of India through a number of laws (Ans)
(c) provided by the Election Commission and approved by the President of India in the year 1950
(d) prescribed through a Presidential Ordinance in the year 1950
9. Consider the following statements about independent India's first general elections held in the year 1951-52: I. The symbols assigned to each political party and independent candidates were painted on individual ballot boxes. II. Universal adult franchise was made the basis of elections. III. The polling booths were so created that there was one polling booth for almost every 1000 voters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) I only
(b) I and II
(c) II and III
(d) I, II and III (Ans)
10. Which one among the following legal declarations is not required to be made by the candidates while contesting parliamentary or legislative assembly elections in India ?
(a) Serious criminal cases pending against the candidate
(b) Details of the assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her family
(c) Educational qualifications of the candidate
(d) Detailed resume with his or her record of work experience. (Ans)
11. The theory of scientific socialism is largely based on the teaching of
(a) Karl Marx (Ans)
(b) Lenin
(c) Stalin
(d) Mao Tse-tung
12. Consider the following statements about Gandhian movements in India :
I. Gandhiji was in favour of mass movements.
II. Gandhian movements were non-violent in character
III. In Gandhian movements, the leaders had no role to play.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and III
(b) I and II (Ans)
(c) II only
(d) I, II and III
13. This item consists of two statements, Statements I and statements carefully and select the answer using the codes given below. Statement I: The broad historical processes of social change are the sum total of individual and collective actions. Statement II : The collective action in a social change should be sustained and have some degree of organization to be effective.
Codes :
(a) Both the statements are individually true and statement II is the correct explanation of statement I (Ans)
(b) Both the statements are individually true and statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
(d) Statement I is false but statement II is true
14. Which of the following are instances of social problems in the Indian context ?
I. Caste distinctions
II. Rigid hierarchy
III. Racial discrimination
IV. Radio-tagging
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
Codes
(a) III and IV
(b) II and III
(c) I and II (Ans)
(d) II and IV
15. Which of the following statements with regard to labour welfare is/are correct ?
I. Trade unions in India are more active in the unorganized sector
II. Children of 10 years and above are allowed to work in factories
III. The labour welfare laws deal with mainly regulation of work and social security at and outside the workplace.
select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Codes
(a) I and II
(b) II only
(c) III only (Ans)
(d) II and III
16. In India, property tax is levied by
(a) Central Government (Ans)
(b) State Government
(c) Local Government
(d) Both (a) and (b)
17. The contribution of the service sector to the GDP of India falls in the range of
(a) 20 - 30 per cent
(b) 30 - 40 per cent
(c) 40 - 50 per cent
(d) 50 - 60 per cent (Ans)
18. Income tax in India is
(a) Progressive (Ans)
(b) regressing
(c) proportional
(d) based on benefit principle
19. When sitting in a room which has metallic mesh on all sides, the mobile phone signal is weak due to
(a) Optical shielding
(b) magnetic shielding
(c) electronic shielding
(d) electromagnetic shielding (Ans)
20. Bank ATM cards contain information in
(a) semiconductors
(b) metals
(c) plastic materials
(d) magnetic materials (Ans)
21. Which of the following can be performed by using the instrument 'divider'?
I. Drawing circles
II. Laying out perpendicular lines
III. Bisecting lines
IV. Drawing triangles
Select the correct answer using the codes and given below Codes ;
(a) I and II
(b) II and III
(c) I and IV
(d) I, II and III (Ans)
22. Examine the following statements and conclusion and then choose the correct answer using the codes given below
Statement I A triangle has three angles
Statement II A square has four angles
Conclusion A polygon has many angles.
Codes
(a) The conclusion drawn is definitely true
(b) The conclusion drawn is definitely false
(c) The conclusion drawn is either probably true or probably false
(d) The conclusion drawn is irrelvant
23. Examine the following statements and conclusion, and then choose the correct answer using the codes given below.
Statement I Drugs obtained from herbs are very useful in curing diseases.
Statement II some herbs are used by beauticians.
Conclusion Patients who take herbal drugs become beautiful.
Codes
(a) The conclusion follows from the given statements
(b) The conclusion does not follow from the given statments
(c) The conclusion is probably true
(d) the conclusion is either probably true or probably false. (Ans)
24. Which one among the following statements about the Eleventh Five-Year Plan is not correct ?
(a) It provides a major expansion in the programme of irrigation and water management
(b) It sets a target of 9 per cent growth in the five-year period with acceleration to reach 10 per cent by the end of the plant (Ans)
(c) It provides a comprehensive strategy for inclusive development
(d) It emphasizes need for nuclear energy development to be supplemented by hydroelectric project
25. Which of the following statements about Panchayati Raj is/ are correct ?
I. It is constitutionally mandated to hold regular electrons to rural government bodies
II. The state government need not share any revenue with rural local government bodies as they are directly funded by the Central Government
Select the correct answer using the codes given below .
Codes
(a) I only (Ans)
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
26. Consider the following statements about the provincial legislature electrons granted in the Government of India Act, 1935
I. The Congress was sharply divided about accepting office in the case of winning elections to provincial legislatures.
II. There, was however, full agreement that the elections should be fought on the basis of a detailed political and economic programme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) I only (Ans)
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
27. Examine the following statements and conclusions :
Statement I All men are married
Statement II Some men are educated
Conclusion I Some married are educated
Conclusion II Some educated are married
Which of the following is correct ?
(a) Only conclusion I follows (Ans)
(b) Only conclusion II follows
(c) Either conclusion I or conclusion II follows
(d) Both conclusion I and II follow
28. The rock-cut architecture of the Ellora caves is represented by
(a) two conventional types-the chaitya hall and the vihara
(b) square sanctuaries fronted by small porticos
(c) a pyramidal roof with outside walls decorated with terra-cotta panels
(d) large multichamber structures (Ans)
29. The most important legacy of the Indo-Greeks was the Gandhara School of Art. This school embodied.
(a) a synthesis of Greek, Roman and Indian features that are reflected in the immage of Buddha (Ans)
(b) indigenous tradition of Indian art
(c) a synthesis of Greek and Indian features
(d) a synthesis of Roman and Indian style and technique
30. The Mauryan stone pillars and capitals were artistic statements of the royal court to
(a) draw the attention to the message engraved on the pillars (Ans)
(b) add magnificence to the Mauryan court
(c) show an improvement in the standard of living compared to the previous period
(d) inscribed the Mauryan symbols in order to ascertain a chronological sequence
31.
Consider the two age pyramids given above and identify the incorrect statement from the following :
(a) 'A' represents an expanding population with decreasing proportion of individuals of older classes
(b) 'B' represents an expanded population with lower percentage of young to old individuals
(c) 'B' represents an unstable declining population
(d) 'A' represents an expanding population with less percentage of young individuals (Ans)
32. Which one among the following indicates a healthy feature of a camel ?
(a) Thick footpads
(b) High hump (Ans)
(c) Long eyelash
(d) Presence of long nostril
33. In animal breeding, which one among the following benefits cannot be derived through artificial insemination ?
(a) Control of spread of disease
(b) Overcoming sterility problem
(c) Decreasing incidences of genetic defects
(d) Decrease in the gestation period (Ans)
34. Considering the following and identify the part of the Constitution of India referred to in it :
The state shall endeavour to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honorable relations between nations........
(a) Fundamental Rights
(b) Relations between the Union and the states (Ans)
(c) Elections
(d) Directive Principles of State Policy
35. The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone normally occurs near the
(a) Equator (Ans)
(b) Tropic of Cancer
(c) Tropic of Capricon
(d) Arctic Circle
36. The normal lapse rate of temperature per kilometre above mean sea level is
(a) 6.5 oC (Ans)
(b) 4.6 oC
(c) 8 oC
(d) 10 oC
37. Coriolis force is maximum
(a) at the Equator (Ans)
(b) at the Poles
(c) neither at the Poles nor at the Equator
(d) at oceans
38. Which among the following minerals is contained in the monazite sand ?
(a) Oil
(b) Uranium
(c) Thorium
(d) Coal (Ans)
39. Which one among the following currents to associated with the Pacific Ocean ?
(a) Kuoshio current (Ans)
(b) Labrador current
(c) Aghulhas current
(d) Brazilian current
40. The tropical cyclone does not occur close to the Equator because of
(a) weak Coriolis force (Ans)
(b) light and variable winds
(c) Excessive humidity
(d) Convective activity
41. Consider the following statements about Alzheimer's disease :
I. It is a slowly progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by impairment of memory
II. It results from accumulation of a specific steroid in the brain
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II (Ans)
42. Which one among the following organisms has the prokaryotic type of cell structure ?
(a) Mosquito
(b) Drosophila (Ans)
(c) Blue - green alga
(d) Mustard Plant
43. To Minimized the toxicity in food , which of the following preventive measures should be taken ?
I. Discard the use of chemical fertilizer in crops
II. Use organic manures in crops
III. Use biopesticides in crops
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
Codes ;
(a) I only
(b) I and II
(c) II and III
(d) I, II and III (Ans)
44. Soil is a complex mixture which is formed by weathering of rocks and contains variable proportion of silt, clay, sand , humus, microbe, etc., The order of the three main components of soil (silt, sand, clay) as per their particle size is
(a) silt > Sand > clay
(b) sand > silt > clay
(c) clay > sand > silt
(d) clay > silt > sand (Ans)
45. Which one among the following proteins is absorbed at the highest rate by human body
(a) Soybean protein (Ans)
(b) Cereal Protein
(c) Milk protein
(d) Egg protein
46. 'Golden rice', developed through transgenic approach, is enriched with high
(a) Vitamin-A content (Ans)
(b) protein content
(c) amino acid content
(d) glutenin content
47. It is assumed that plant's life originated earlier than animal life because
(a) plant cells have an additional protective layer outside the plasma membrane (Ans)
(b) plants synthesize their food
(c) plant cells are usually larger than animal cells
(d) None of the above
48. Which one among the following statements regarding prohibition of Sati in India is correct ?
(a) Raja Ram Mohan Roy wanted an expeditious and urgent abolition of Sati and therefore advised Bentinck to take emergency legislative measures
(b) The Sati was made illegal in 1829 but was not made punishable by the courts until 1840 (Ans)
(c) The persons associated in any way with Sati were to be regarded as criminals
(d) At the time of his appointment as Governor-General, Bentinck was instructed by the Home Authorities to consider definite measures for the immediate or gradual abolition of sati.
49. Consider the following statements about the Non-cooperation Movement :
I. Gandhiji's appeal for Non-cooperation Movement had attracted both the moderate and the extremist rank and file, for he had cleverly combined the goal of the former, Swaraj within the empire , with the means of the later, Non-cooperation.
II. CR Das decided to enter the Legislative Council not to help the British but to embarrass them. It was to be a form of Non-cooperation from within.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) I only (Ans)
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
50. Which one of the following statements about the structure of the Congress under the new constitution adopted at Its Nagpur Session is not correct ?
(a) The working committee was to comprise of 15 members
(b) The membership fee was completely abolished to broaden the reach of the organization (Ans)
(c) The provincial committees were recognized on a linguistic basis, one for each region
(d) The organization was to be strengthened by the formation of village and mohalla or ward committees
51. A green manure is the manure for increasing fertility of soil and is
(a) decomposed remnant of organic plant material (Ans)
(b) plant material used as bedding for animals
(c) nitrogen-fixing biomass of bacterial
(d) crop grown for the purpose of plowing them in
52. In the field of agriculture, cloning implies
(a) transfer of genes from one species to the other
(b) genetic transformation
(c) production of a plant with the union of sex cells in vitro
(d) production of genetically identical plants (Ans)
53. Three Indian performing -art forms have been included in the UNESCO' s intangible heritage list in the year 2010. Which one of the following is not in this group of three ?
(a) The Mudiyettu of Kerala
(b) The Bamboo Dance of Mizoram (Ans)
(c) The chhau Dance of East India
(d) The kalbelia of Rajasthan
54. Which one among the following regional trading blocks is India's largest trading partner ?
(a) Association of South-East Asian Nationas
(b) European Union (Ans)
(c) Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(d) North America Free Trade Area
55. Which one among the following is the cause of the tectonic earthquake ?
(a) Volcanic eruption
(b) Lava Instrusion
(c) Faulting (Ans)
(d) Collapse of subsurface caves
56. Which one among the following is a correct attribute of 'bio-insecticide' ?
(a) Specific to only target pest and biodegradable
(b) Persistent in the environment (Ans)
(c) Non-biodegradable
(d) Non-toxic and non-degradable
57. Consider the following data obtained after estimating the energy (heat) produced by the combustion of three different kinds of food materials in the presence of oxygen:
Food substance oxidized Heat generated (Kilocalorie)
X 4.0
Y 9.4
Z 5.6
Which one among the following statements is correct ?
(a) X is predominantly protein (Ans)
(b) Y is predominantly carbohydrate
(c) Y is predominantly fat
(d) Z is predominantly fat
58. Which one among the following statements regarding mules is correct ?
(a) Mule is a hybrid of female donkey and male horse
(b) Mules produce more young ones compared to horses and donkeys
(c) Mule is sturdier than horse and larger than donkey (Ans)
(d) From the evolutional point of view mules are ancestral to donkeys
59. Consider the following statements :
I. The multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI, introduced in 2010) indicates the share of the population that is multidimensionally poor adjusted by the intensity of deprivation in terms of living standards, health and education.
II. According to this parameter, India is favourably placed when compared with a country like China.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) I only (Ans)
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
60. Excessive consumption of Vitamin -A can lead to physiological disorder but intake of vitamin C in large doses does not lead to any health hazards because
(a) Vitamin - A has antioxidant activity while Vitamin-C is an oxidant
(b) Vitamin - A is water - soluble and can lead to toxicity during metabolism
(c) Vitamin - A is highly reactive substance while Vitamin -C does not participate in metabolic reaction
(d) unlike Vitamin A, vitamin-C is wter soluble and extra doses of vitamin -C pass out in urine and faeces (Ans)
